The abuse of and addiction to opioids such as heroin, morphine, and prescription pain relievers is a serious global problem that affects the health, social, and economic welfare of all societies. It is estimated that between 26.4 million and 36 million people abuse opioids worldwide, with an estimated 2.1 million people in the United States
Being a parent of a teenager struggling with addiction is an extremely difficult situation to be in. While many teens simply experiment with alcohol and drugs, some of them end up with problems and addiction. We’ll explore the relationship between a teen addict and their parent(s), and discuss ways to help what might seem like
We are quick to point fingers in many situations when we make a mistake, when something goes wrong, or when someone ends up hurt. We’ve all been here. How about the time you stopped for coffee in the morning before work and turned around—not looking—and bumped right into someone, spilling a full cup of coffee
Step 2 of the Alcoholics Anonymous program is essentially a stage of hope. It is about understanding that you are not alone, and that you don’t have to be miserable and in pain. Step 2 is about believing that a higher power greater than yourself can restore you to sanity and peace. The key point
Is it possible to force teenagers into rehab for addiction treatment? Of course. But, does it actually help? The percentage of teens who are mandated to attend rehab via the court system varies, but it generally around 60-65%. There are many factors to take into consideration to answer whether it works, and we’ll explore when
Addiction causes so much more pain than many people realize, as it affects not only the addict but everyone they’re directly involved with, including family and friends. Growing up with parents who struggle with addiction can cause major damage in children, especially when left untreated. Emotional pain can wreak havoc on our lives, and it
Many people may ask if sobriety is so easy why failure happens. Relapse rates may be high, with some returning to addiction within a few weeks of recovery. Sobriety is a difficult road which is a daily battle. There is no quick fix or easy answer with individual personalities, situations and determination some of the
When addicts are in need of professional help, families are often the ones to push them to seek it, whether it’s convincing them to attend rehab by holding an intervention or offering to pay for it if they agree to attend. What many people may not realize is how the family could benefit from addiction
The Brain Two systems in the brain work opposite one another: glutamate and GABA (gamma amino butyric acid). Glutamate is like a gas pedal which gets things started. GABA slows things down. Benzodiazepines damage GABA receptors so glutamate is free to push the brain into hyperspeed which over-excites the entire body. When GABA receptors are
Art therapy is one tool used to support individuals in recovery. Some treatment programs offer options during treatment including individual, group, skills-focus, relapse prevention and art therapy. Expression of emotions, feelings and thoughts are encouraged as part of the healing journey throughout recovery. Types of Art Therapy Several modalities of art therapy are used
